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Australia's Jordyn Holzberger and Grace Balsdon of GB battle for the ball during the Women's Hockey match on day one of the 2013 Australian Youth Olympic Festival.Craig Golding

WHILE 2012 might have been a career year for Yamanto hockey player Jordyn Holzberger, 2013 is shaping up to be even better.

Last night the 19-year-old Holzberger carried the torch for Australia, literally, leading a procession of torch-bearers into last night's opening ceremony at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival 2013.

She led eight Australian junior athletes carrying torches to the cauldron before Australian rower Alexander Hill lit the Olympic cauldron at the Sydney Interment Centre at Darling Harbour

Speaking to The QT before the ceremony Holzberger said she had high hopes for the year.

"I'm really excited and really proud," she said of carrying the torch.

"The coach came in and told me I'd be carrying the torch in front of the entire team.

"I had no idea before that. They all clapped and applauded me when it was announced. It was all pretty exciting!"

I had no idea before that. They all clapped and applauded me when it was announced. It was all pretty exciting!

While Holzberger missed out on a spot in the London Olympic team last year, she said having such a prestigious position at the Youth Olympics went some way to making up for it.

"It was definitely disappointing to miss out on making the Olympic team, but being given the honour of carrying the torch is amazing.

"Hopefully it will be the start of a great year.

"Our main goal for the Youth Olympics is to come away with the gold," she said.

They started their campaign yesterday with a 3-0 win over Great Britain.

However, the competition isn't the year's only top-level junior world competition. The World Cup will be held in Germany in July.

"There will be a lot of focus this year on the Junior World Cup this year too," Holzberger said.

"It'll be a big tournament and I think we can do pretty well in it."

But despite the two junior tournaments being held Holzberger is hoping 2013 is the year she cracks the senior squad for good.

"We've got the Junior World Cup in July, but after that there are some senior games later in the year and I definitely want to try and get into the senior team."

We've got the Junior World Cup in July, but after that there are some senior games later in the year and I definitely want to try and get into the senior team.

Holzberger now lives in Perth as part of her scholarship with the Australian Institute of Sport, while her family remains in their Yamanto home.

Her performance on the pitch yesterday was praised by coach Craig Victory.

"Jordyn Holzberger was really ideal for us carrying the ball," Victory said.

In the other women's fixture on day one China was too good for the USA prevailing 5-2.

The Jillaroos will be returning to the field today to take on the USA before facing China on Saturday.